Cap fastener for excavating bucket digging teeth



spf.,1s, 1951 E. L. LAUNDER CAPA FASTENER FOR ExcAvA'rING BUCKET DIGGING TEETH Filed Nov. 4, 1949 INVL'JVTORS 7k/fe l. aan de Patented Sept. 18,` 1951 CAP FASTENER FOR EXCAVATING BUCKET DIGGIN G TEETH Ernie L. Launder, Montebello, Calif., assignor to H. & L. Tooth Compan y, Montebello, Calif., a

corporation of California Application November 4, 1949, Serial No. 125,521

Claims.

This invention has to do with a cap construction for a digger tooth, and it is a general object of the invention to provide a practical, dependable construction characterized by a retainer of the pin type that is easily applied and removed, and which is effective and dependable.

The construction in which the present invention is embodied involves a shank projecting from a bucket or implement and having a forwardly tapered or converging tip at its leading end. A cap is engaged over the tip and involves a heavy, flat blade that bears on the top of the tip and which has a sharpened forward end. The cap has sides thatdepend from the edges of the blade and t against the sides of the tip and are preferably coextensive therewith. A bottom connects and extends between the sides of the cap and engages the bottom or under side of the tip. A bore is provided transversely through the tip from one side to the other and is preferably elongated somewhat in cross section in a direction lengthwise of the tip. Correspondingly shaped and aligned holes are provided in the sides of the cap and are positioned to be somewhat forward of the hole or` opening provided in the tip. A retainer in the form cf a pin is engaged through the cap and tip and involves a body portion that is received in the tip and enlargements or heads that are received in the holes in the sides of the cap. The enlargements or heads of the pin establish inwardly facing shoulders that engage the sides of the tip adjacent the hole provided in the tip. This pin is of laminated or sectional construction and involves two like metal sections each substantially semi-circular in cross section, and a spreader section preferably a body of rubber that is arranged between and which is bonded to the metal sections normally yieldingly urging them apart and maintaining the pin tight in connection with the tip and cap.

A general object of this invention is to provide a cap construction for a digger tooth wherein a cap which is formed separate from the tooth proper or shank is releasably retained on the tip of the shank so that it remains in proper operating position and is tight on the tip during operation, and can be removed and replaced at will.

Another yobject of the invention is to provide a construction of the general character referred to characterized by a simple, unitary pin which is strong and effective and which involves resiliency which acts to maintain the pin tight in operating position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking pin or key for a structure of the general character referred to, which pin is characterized by like elongate metal sections combined with a spreader section, preferably in the form of a body of rubber, or the like, which acts between the metal sections.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an implement in the form of a bucket having a plurality of digger teeth projecting therefrom, the teeth having the present invention incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. l. Fig. r3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, being a view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1, showing the tip portion of a shank and a cap in place on the tip. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in section and being an enlarged view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. l. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3 and showing the retaining pin in elevation. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 3 showing the tip of the shank and the cap thereon but not the retaining pin. Fig. 7 is a View of the parts shown in Fig. 6, showing the retaining pin in place in connection with the tip and cap. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the retaining pin. Fig. 9 is a detailed transverse sectional view of the retaining pin taken as indicated by line 9-9 on Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line IU-IU on Fig. 6.

The structure provided by this invention is applicable to digger teeth or the like and it is particularly practical and can be used to advantage in connection with the cap of a digger tooth, in which case it is employed for securing the cap on the tip of a .shank or the like. The invention is illustrated and will be described in this particular application. However, it is to be understood that it may be used in various situv ations and may be modified or varied as circumstances require.

In the drawings an implement in the form of a bucket A is shown provided with a plurality of forwardly projecting digger teeth B. Each tooth is shown as involving a forwardly projecting shank l0 with a flat front face Il and a tip I2 projecting forward from the face of the shank. A cap I3 is applied to or over the tip of the shank and a retainer lli in the form of a pin ieleasably secures the cap in operating position on the tip.`

In the preferred form of construction the shank IIJ and tip I2 form a rigid unitary element.A The tip is forwardly convergent or tapered and in the form illustrated it involves a flat forwardly extending top I5, a flat forwardly extending bottom I6 and at parallel sides I1. The top I and bottom I6 converge and come together or terminate at a forward point I9.

The cap I3 may vary widely in form and construction, it being preferably a unit which is applied to and which encases the tip I2. In the case illustrated the cap I3 involves a top or blade with a forwardly projecting portion having a sharpened edge 2I. The blade 20 is arranged over and bears on the top I5 of the tip. Sides 22 depend from the edges of the blade 20 and t over or against the sides I1 of the tip. It is preferred that the sides or cheeks 22 of the cap be made the same size and shape as the sides II of the tip to be coextensive therewith, as shown throughout the drawings. A bottom 23 joins or extends between the lower edge portions of the cheeks 22 and bears on or fits against the bottom I6 of the tip. In the preferred construction the cap above described is a fabricated element or unit, the bottom and cheeks being formed of a sheath, shaped and bent in the desired manner, and the upper edges of the cheeks 22 are permanently or rigidly joined to the blade 2U as by welding, or the like. welding material is shown at 25 permanently bonding the cheeks 22 to the blade Z. In the particular case illustrated a tongue 3D projects from the rear or inner end of blade 20 and extends into a suitable socket 3| provided in the front face II of the shank IEB immediately above the tip.

The retainer I4 provided by the present invention is in the nature of a pin and to accommodate the retainer a transverse opening 40 is provided through the tip I2 from one side thereof to the other, and openings lll are provided in the cheeks 22 of the cap and communicate with the opening 4I] in the tip when the cap is in place on the tip. It is preferred that the bore or opening 4I) through the tip be elongated somewhat is cross sectional configuration in the direction in which the tip extends or projects from the face II and as shown throughout the drawings the openings 4I in the cheeks 22 may be likewise elongated in cross section.

The retainer pin III provide-d by the invention is an elongate unit engageable with or applicable to the assembled cap and tip and when in place or operating position it extends through both the cap and the tip and has a body portion X' In the drawings dinally of the pin and each has an outer convex face and an inner flat face 55. In the preferred construction the faces 55 and 56 are so shaped and proportioned that the body portion of each metal pin section is substantially semi-circular in cross sectional configuration as shown in Fig. 9. 'I'he head portion Y of each metal pin section has a convex outer face 51 and an inner face substantially continuous with the inner face of the body section. In the particular case illustrated the flat inner sides 58 of the heads are slightly offset outwardly from the at face 56 of the body portions. The head portions 51 project from the body portions of the pin sections to establish the opposed shoulders 50 and these shoulders are spaced apart to receive or accommodate the tip in the manner shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

The spreader section 52 normally yieldingly holds the metal sections of the pin apart and in the preferred form of the invention it is a body or strip of rubber or the like confined between the nat inner faces of the metal pin sections. It is preferred to permanently bond the rubber spreader 52 to the metal sections of the pin so that these parts form a permanent or unitary assembly. In the preferred form of the invention the outer end corners 60 of the pin are preferably beveled or dressed away to facilitate entrance of the pin into the openings 40 and 4I.

The retainer pin constructed as above .described and as clearly illustrated in the drawings, particularly Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, is applied after the cap I3 has been engaged over the tip I2. The pin is introduced from one side of the structure, that is, through one of the holes I4 in the cap and the parts are so arranged and proportioned that for complete introduction of the pin it must be forced or driven into place in. the course of which operation it passes through the opening 4l] in the tip and nally projects into carried or engaged in the opening I0 of the tip Y while head portions Y engage in or are carried by the openings 4I in the cheeks 22. In accordance with the invention the heads Y of the pin are in the nature of enlargements on the body portion X forming inwardly facing or opposed shoulders 5U which engage the sides I'I of the tip when the pin is in place (see Fig. 7 of the drawings).

The pin I4 is a fabricated or sectional structure preferably involving two like metal sections 5I and a center or spreader section 52 that occurs between the metal sections. The metal sections are preferably alike and extend longituthe other opening 4I in the cap. As the pin is thus .driven or forced into place the retainer section 52 thereof is compressed or deformed, putting the body of rubber under pressure so that it normally yieldingly urges the metal sections of the pin apart. When the pin is in place, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, it bears against the forward wall of opening 40, as indicated by the arrow a in Fig. '7, and bears against the rear walls of the openings 4I, as indicated by the arrows b in Fig. '7. As the pin thus exerts pressure on the tip and cap these parts are held securely or tightly engaged and the pin will remain in operating position due to the shoulders 50 engaging the sides I'I of the tip. The shoulders 50 are made of such extent or shape as to effectively maintain the pin in position under working conditions. However, it is possible to apply sufficient force or pressure to the pin to dislodge it when necessary. This can be done by striking the pin With a hammer or the like. y

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A .digger tooth including, an elongate shank with an opening extending transversely therethrough between opposite sides thereof, a cap on the shank with side portions overlying the shank at the ends of the opening, the side portions of -tablishing opposing shoulders on the section, one pin section having its center portion in the. opening and bearing against the shank whilev its opposed shoulders engage said opposite sides of theshankk at the ends of said opening, the

other pin section having its heads in the holes in the side portions of the cap and bearing against said side portions of the cap, the body ends of the center portion establishing opposing shoulders on the section, one pin section having its center portion in the opening and bearing against the shank while itsopposed shoulders engage said opposite sides of the shank at the ends of said opening, the other pin section. having its heads .in the holes in the side portions of the cap and bearing against said side portions of the cap, the body of rubber between the pin sections being under pressure and acting on the pin sections so the center portion of the irst mentioned pin section bears in one direction on the shank while the heads of said other pin section bear in the opposite ,direction on the ,side portions of the cap.

2. A digger tooth including, an elongate forwardly projecting shank with an opening extending transversely therethrough between opposite sides thereof, a cap engaged on the shank from the forward end thereof with side portions overlying the shank at the ends of the opening, the side portions of the cap having holes therethrough communicating with said opening, and a unitary retainer pin holding the cap on the shank and inserted in the opening and said holes, the pin including, elongated parallel sections with a body of rubber between and secured to the sections and substantially coextensive therewith, each pin section having a center portion and heads at the ends of the center portion establishing opposing shoulders on the section, one pin section having its center portion in the opening and bearing against the shank while its opposed Shoulders engage said opposite sides of-the shank at the ends of said opening, the other pin section having its heads in the holes in the side portions of the cap and bearing against said side portions of the cap, the body of rubber between the pin sections being under pressure and acting on the pin sections so the center portion of the rst mentioned pin section bears in one direction on the shank while the heads of said other pin section bear in the opposite direction on the side portions of the cap, the opening in the shank being substantially elliptical in cross sectional configuration with its major transverse axis substantially longitudinal of the shank and the pin being positioned with the center portion of the first mentioned pin section bearing forwardly against the shank while the heads of the said other pin section bear rearwardly against the side portions of the cap.

3. A digger tooth including, an elongate forwardly projecting shank with an opening extending transversely therethrough between opposite sides thereof, a cap engaged on the shank from the forward end thereof with side portions overlying the shank at the ends of the opening, the side portions of the cap having holes therethrough communicating with said opening, and a unitary retainer pin holding the cap on the shank and inserted in the opening and said holes, the pin including, elongated parallel sections with a body of rubber between and secured to the sections and substantially coextensive therewith, each pin section having a center portion and heads at the ends of the center portion esof rubber between the pin sections being under pressure and acting on the pin sections so the center portion of the first mentioned pin section bears in one direction on the shank while the heads of said other pin section bear in the opposite direction on the side portions of the cap, the holes in the side portions of the cap being substantially elliptical in cross sectional configuration with their major transverse axes extending substantially longitudinally of the shank and the pin being positioned with the center portion of the rst mentioned pin section bearing forwardly against the shank while the heads of the said other pin section bear rearwardly against the side portions of the cap.

4. A digger tooth including, an elongate forwardly projecting shank with an opening extending` transversely therethrough between opposite sides thereof, a cap engaged on the shank from the forward end thereof with side portions overlying the shank at the ends of the opening, the side portions of the cap having holes therethrough communicating with said opening, and a unitary retainer pin holding the cap on the shank and inserted in the opening and said holes, the pin including, elongated parallel sections with a body of rubber between and secured to the sections and substantially coextensive therewith, each pin section having a center portion and heads at the ends of the center portion establishing opposing shoulders on the section, one pin section having its center portion in the opening and bearing against the shank while its opposed shoulders engage said opposite sides of the shank at the ends of said opening, the other pin section having its heads in the holes in the side portions of the cap and bearing against said side portions of the cap, the body of rubber between the pin sections being under pressure and acting on the pin sections so the center portion of the first mentioned pin section bears in one direction on the shank while the heads of said other pin section bear in the opposite direction on the side portions of the cap, the opening in the shank and the holes in the side portions of the cap being substantially alike in shape and each being substantially elliptical in cross sectional configuration with its major transverse axis being substantially longitudinal of the shank, and the pin being positioned with the center portion of the rst mentioned pin section bearing forwardly against the shank while the heads of the said other pin section bear rearwardly against the side portions of the cap.

5. A digger tooth including, a forwardly converging elongate shank having nat parallel sides and having an opening through it from one side to the other and spaced from the margins of the sides, the opening being uniform in size and shape from one side of the shank to the other and being substantially elliptical in cross sectional configuration with its major transverse axis extending substantially lengthwise of the shank, a cap engaged over the shank from its forward end and having fiat side plates adjacent and covering the sides of the shank, the side plates having holes corresponding in shape and general location with the said opening to communicate with the opening and being on an axis transverse of the shank and forward of the longitudinal axis of the opening, and a unitary pin engaged in the holes and in the opening with its ends substantially ush with the exterior of the side plates, the pin including two sections and a body of rubber between and permanently secured to the sections, the pin sections having substantially flat opposed inner sides to which the body of rubber is secured, said inner sides of the pin sections being disposed in planes parallel with the minor transverse axis of the opening so one pin section is forward of the other in the opening, each pin section having an elongate shank portion substantially semi-circular in cross sectional conguraton and corresponding in length with the width of the shank, and having heads beyond the ends of the shank portion corresponding in length with the thickness of the side plates and having shoulders at their inner ends, the pin being engaged in the opening with the shank of the first mentioned pin section in pressure engagement with the shank and having its shoulders engaged with the sides of the shank while the heads of the other pin section are in pressure engagement with the side plates.

ERNIE L. LAUNDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

